FIFA U20 World Cup: Flying Eagles Reach the Round of 16 - As Best Losers

Nigeria’s Flying Eagles have qualified for the Round of 16 of the ongoing FIFA U-20 World Cup in Poland as one of the four best placed teams following their 1-1 draw with Ukraine in their last Group D match on Thursday.

The regulations for the organisation of the 2019 FIFA U-20 World Cup states that:,”The two teams finishing first and second in each group and the four best teams among those ranked third will qualify for the round of 16.”

The four best third-place teams from the six groups will advance to the knockout stages of the competition along with the six group winners and six runners up.


Paul Aigbogun’s men finished third in group D with four points from three games.

Nigeria may face either Senegal or Italy in the round of 16.

flying-eagles-ukraine-fifa-u20-world-cup-poland-2019-paul-aigbogun

Paul Aigbogun’s men finished third in group D with four points from three games.

Ukraine finished as group winners with seven points while Qatar finished fourth with no point following their 1-0 loss to second place USA.

Danylo Sikan gave the Ukrainian U-20 side the lead after 30 minutes in the cagey encounter at the at the Bielsko-Biala Stadium.

flying-eagles-ukraine-fifa-u20-world-cup-poland-2019-paul-aigbogun

Mohammed Tijani had a chance to restore parity on the stroke of half-time from the spot but his penalty kick was saved by Andriy Lunin.

At the start of the second half, Nigeria levelled scores in the 51st minute from the spot through Tijani.

The lanky forward sent Lunin the wrong way after his goal bound shot was handled in the box by Popov.

Despite immense pressure from the Flying Eagles side to find the winner, they failed to break down a resolute Ukrainian defence.